Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 94

The streetlights flashed by one after another, throwing alternating patterns of light and shadow across her face.

Sebastian turned his head, his gaze landing on her bare neck. The necklace was gone, but in its place was a fresh cut.

It didn't look deep, but against her porcelain skin, it was glaringly obvious.

His brow furrowed deeper. "Layne, pull over."

The car smoothly glided to the curb and parked. Layne shot a quick glance in the rearview mirror, and without needing to be told, pushed his door open, stepped out, and walked a few paces to light a cigarette under a streetlight.

The car doors shut, leaving them in silence until Sebastian spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "Did he put his hands on you?"

His tone was frigid, devoid of any warmth, much like the man himself.

Audrina turned to meet his gaze.

His jaw was clenched tight, the lines of his face rigid as his eyes remained fixed on the cut marking her neck.

"No," she forced a small smile. "Zachary just threw a pathetic temper tantrum, and I caught some flying glass."

Sebastian leaned closer, lifting a hand to gently cup her chin. He tilted her face to the side, his eyes narrowing as he carefully inspected the wound.

His fingertips were warm, his touch surprisingly gentle. Audrina allowed him to check.

After a moment, he pulled his hand back and started rummaging through the car.

He checked the storage pockets on the back of the front seats, then shifted to search the compartments on the sides.

Handfuls of tissues, sunglasses, and assorted items were tossed aside.

Audrina watched in amusement as he dug from front to back, left to right, making a multi-million dollar car look like a beat-up minivan.

"What are you looking for?"

"A Band-Aid."

Leaning back against the leather seat, she watched his focused silhouette as he bent over to search. Somehow, the heavy gloom weighing her down started to dissipate, leaving her wanting to laugh.

"Stop looking," she said. "Give it another two minutes and it'll heal on its own."

Sebastian slowly straightened up, turning his head to look at her.

Deep in his dark eyes, a warm glint seemed to break through the surface, melting the frost like sunlight hitting ice.

Leaning back against his seat, Sebastian pulled his phone back and lazily spun it in his hand.

With impeccable reading comprehension, he deduced, "So you just get into any man's car?"

"...Are you going to lend it to me or not?" Audrina asked, starting to lose patience.

He unlocked the screen and handed it over.

Settling back against the headrest, he noted casually, "I come all this way to pick you up, and you treat me like a mobile payphone? You really know how to put people to work."

His exaggerated tone of 'good intentions being thrown back in his face' broke her composure. She turned her head to look out the window, but the corners of her lips curled up anyway.

The streetlights reflected on the glass, clearly illuminating the small smile on her face.

She muttered softly, "I didn't ask you to come."

Catching her expression, the last remnants of coldness in his eyes completely dissolved.

She was still looking down, dialing the number, when his teasing tone dropped away.

He asked softly, "So... are you still mad at me?"